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SUN SAFETY
Protecting Yourself
from UV Radiation
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Ultraviolet Radiation - UV
What is Ultraviolet Radiation?
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Ultraviolet Radiation - UV
 The sun is the energy source that
sustains all life on earth.
 Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) is simply
one form of energy coming from the
sun.
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Ultraviolet Radiation - UV
Sunlight contains 3 types of UV rays…
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Ultraviolet Radiation - UV
1. UVA—causes skin aging & wrinkles.
Used in tanning beds. Colors skin
and gives false sense of protection
from the sun. UVA rays pass
effortlessly through the ozone layer.
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Ultraviolet Radiation - UV
2. UVB—causes sunburns, cataracts,
immune system damage, skin cancer.
Melanoma may be associated with
severe UVB sunburns occurring
before the age of 20. Most UVB rays
are absorbed by the ozone layer.
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Ultraviolet Radiation - UV
3. UVC—these rays are the most
dangerous. Fortunately, these rays
are blocked by the ozone layer and
don’t reach the earth.
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Ultraviolet Radiation - UV
Even on cloudy, cool, or overcast days, UV rays
travel through the clouds and reflect off sand,
water, snow, and even concrete.
Clouds and pollution don’t filter out UV rays, and
can give a false sense of protection.
This “invisible sun” can cause unexpected
sunburn and skin damage.
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Ultraviolet Radiation - UV
The sun’s light is strongest when it is highest in
the sky (normally from 10 AM to 4 PM).
UV rays are strongest during the summer.
UV intensity is greater at high altitudes. Skiers
need to take extra care.
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Ultraviolet Radiation - UV
The UV Index* predicts the next day’s UV levels on a
0-10+ scale.
UV Index
Number
Exposure
Level
Minutes to
Burn
0 to 2
3 to 4
5 to 6
Minimal
Low
Moderate
60
45
30
7 to 9
10+
High
Very high
15
10
*Oklahoma
Developed by the National Weather Service and the EPA.
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Effects of UV Exposure
Sunburn
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Effects of UV Exposure
Sunburn
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Effects of UV Exposure
 Sunburn develops when the amount of
UV exposure is greater than the
protection your skin’s melanin can
provide.
 The lighter your skin, the less melanin it
has to absorb UV and protect itself.
 All skin, no matter the color, thickens and
hardens with continued sun exposure,
resulting in wrinkles later in life.
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Effects of UV Exposure
Eye Damage
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Effects of UV Exposure
Spending long hours in the sun with
no eye protection may increase your
chance of developing cataracts.
Even low amounts of sunlight can
increase the risk of eye disorders.
UVB damage to the eyes is
cumulative, so it is never too late to
start protecting your eyes.
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Effects of UV Exposure
Skin Damage
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Effects of UV Exposure
There are about 1.3 million new
cases of skin cancer in the U.S.
each year, resulting in about 9,800
deaths.
Melanoma is one type of skin
cancer. It is the most common
cancer among women between the
ages of 25 and 29.
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Effects of UV Exposure
Skin cancer is the most common of
cancers and is largely preventable.
Increased outdoor leisure time, less
clothing worn outdoors, and
decreased ozone levels are partly to
blame.
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Effects of UV Exposure
Compare the underside of your arm
to the topside of your arm to see the
effect of sun exposure on your skin.
“Sun damage” causes wrinkles,
easy bruising, brown “liver” spots,
and potentially, skin cancer.
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Effects of UV Exposure
Scientists believe sunburns can
alter the body’s immune system for
up to 24 hours after exposure to the
sun.
Repeated overexposure to UV
radiation can cause more damage to
the body’s immune system, even in
people with dark skin.
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Guidelines for Protection
Eye Protection
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Guidelines for Protection
Sunglasses offer excellent
protection.
Make sure the lenses are designed
to block out 95% of UV.
Polarizing lenses and mirror
finishes reduce glare, but have little
effect in blocking the absorption of
UV rays.
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Guidelines for Protection
Tanning Protection
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Guidelines for Protection
Sunscreen doesn’t offer 100%
protection.
SPF 30+ sunscreen blocks 96% of
UV; SPF 15+ blocks out 93%.
In addition to sunscreen, wear a hat,
sunglasses, more clothing, and seek
shade.
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Guidelines for Protection
Using SPF 30+ instead of SPF 15+
does not mean you can safely
double your time in the sun.
Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before
going outside. Don’t rub it in—a
light film should stay visible.
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Guidelines for Protection
Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours if
you are swimming or sweating a lot.
Fragrances and moisturizers in
sunscreen may cause allergic
reaction; experiment with other
brands if this is a problem.
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Guidelines for Protection
Protective Clothing
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Guidelines for Protection
Choose clothes that cover your
arms, legs and neck to ensure
proper protection.
You won’t get too hot or
uncomfortable in lightweight fabrics
like cotton, hemp or linen.
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Guidelines for Protection
 Most cotton and cotton/polyester fabrics
protect against 95% of UV, but are less
effective if wet, faded, or aged.
 Dark colors are better at absorbing UV
than light colors.
 If you choose to wear light colors, make
sure the fabric is a tight weave, such as
canvas.
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Guidelines for Protection
Appropriately designed clothing is
great for protecting you from the
sun.
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Sun Safety
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